RIGHTS OF STUDENTS

To the Editor:

The Tecumseh, Okla., school board defends its policy requiring all students
to pass a drug test in order to participate in extracurricular activities
by saying the board does not want "to point an accusatory finger at
individual students" (news article, Nov. 9). Does that mean that the school
board would rather invade the privacy of all students than accuse one of
using drugs?

The Fourth Amendment requires individualized suspicion before the
government can conduct a search. That goes for school boards as well.
Although the standard for searching students can be lower than for the
community at large, it must still be individualized, precisely to prevent
what Tecumseh proposes: a fishing expedition. The school board should worry
less about soothing feelings and more about honoring rights.

BARBARA BERNSTEIN

Exec. Dir., Nassau County Chapter, New York Civil Liberties Union

Mineola, N.Y.